AN INDEPENDENT PUBLISHER OF UNIQUE BOOKS

Yes, Darren Speegle’s second novel, Artifacts, is now available. This is science-fantasy at its greatest, and the third book in the Allevon series of original illustrated trade paperbacks by Written Backwards. The book features black and white illustrations throughout by L.A. Spooner (see below for color variants) and an introduction by Gene O’Neill. Currently available on Amazon at the following links for easy finding, or simply search “Artifacts” and/or “Darren Speegle.”

In a far future Europe, following a four-thousand-year Dark Age, of which man retains little record or memory, a scroll is found in a train car deep within the snow and ice of Scandinavia, buried since the cataclysmic end of the First Age. The document, which contains a cryptic message meant for the world before it died, finds its way into the hands of Rein, an outpost bar hand who journeys across the continent seeking the relic’s translation.

“Had it not been for Scott Edelman and the other comic book storytellers of that time, I would have never wanted to become a writer, I would have never persisted until I actually became a writer, and I would certainly have never written The Rising, which means that zombie literature might not have enjoyed this new heyday.”

A Vegan chef believes meat is murder. A determined waitress longs for stardom. He hopes to convince the world to abandon killing animals. She hopes to convince a director to make her a star. Both of those hopes are challenged when a zombie apocalypse traps them in small towns where their dreams might come true—or else be crushed under the weight of an invading undead horde. Join Tim and Shelley as they struggle to survive—and retain their sanity—in a world where death suddenly holds no dominion.

Both novelettes are illustrated throughout by Italian artist Daniele Serra with half-page, full-page, and page-spanning artwork. Check out some of these killer illustrations! Serra also designed the artwork used on the cover.

These specialty numbered books are a smaller 8″x5″ trade paperback size, each illustrated by a different artist, and the designed for those who enjoy literary/speculative fiction, as well as for book collectors looking for something unique to add to their libraries.

Liars, Fakers, and the Dead Who Eat Them is available now at Amazon.com for the low price of $8.95, and will be celebrated with an official launch at StokerCon 2017 in Long Beach, California at the end of April, with author Scott Edelman.

At the Lazy K, the latest novella by Gene O’Neill, is now available at Amazon.com (click the image above for a direct link to purchase). With interior illustrations throughout by L.A. Spooner (some of which are sprinkled throughout this post), and an introduction by Bram Stoker Award winning author Rena Mason, this smaller, matte-finished book fits nicely in the hands and digs instantly into your heart. This is Gene O’Neill at his finest.

Gene O’Neill is a multi-award winning author of science fiction, fantasy, and horror, with over 150 works published, including stories filling the pages of Twilight Zone Magazine, Cemetery Dance Magazine, and The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction. Gene is not a stranger to Written Backwards; his fiction has appeared in nearly every anthology, including Chiral Mad,Chiral Mad 2, the Bram Stoker Award nominated Qualia Nous, and most recently The Library of theDead, an anthology he and Gord Rollo first conceived. His short story “3-Dot People” will also be included in Chiral Mad 3.And look soon for his Cal Wild series, a colorful collection some are calling his magnum opus, which includes The Confessions of St. Zach, The Burden of Indigo, The Near Future, and The Far Future.

This is the first of the ALLEVON series of illustrated novellas by Written Backwards, and Gene is the perfect way to start this ambitious new line of books. How many novellas released each year by Written Backwards is yet-to-be-determined, but each new release will be carefully and beautifully crafted, such as this one, and each will be authored by different writers of various genres, and each will be illustrated by different artists.

Once a brothel, and later turned into a rehabilitation center, a place called The Lazy K survives a century-spanning curse following the wrongful hanging of an innocent man on the branches of an old California oak. This haunting novella by legend Gene O’Neill is part western, part ghost story, part drug-rehabilitation, and is a literary, multi-genre exploration into the rich cultural history of northern California.Tracy L. Carbone says it best in her Amazon review: “I bought this book as soon as it was released. When it was delivered, my first reaction was that it was a beautiful book. With its matte cover and internal illustrations by L. A. Spooner, its cream pages and professional layout that are standard of Written Backwards, I hoped sincerely that the prose would match. I have known of Gene ONeill for many years but had never read his work. Long story short, it was terrific. In line with the quality of the publisher’s other works. So much in commercial fiction these days is based on shock value and gore and pushing boundaries. This refreshing tale was more literary and in the vein of old fashioned horror. The reader is given a solid background from which to understand the curse in the book, as well as brief but all encompassing backgrounds of the main characters. I found myself easily envisioning the surroundings the author craftfully painted of the various eras and locations. Well done! I will have to track down more of O’Neill’s books.”

At the Lazy K was recently released at Anthoconin Portsmouth, New Hampshire, where Gene served as a Guest of Honor, along with Thomas F. Monteleone, Christopher Golden, Holly Newstein, James A. Moore, artist Guest of Honor Susan Scofield, and surprise guests F. Paul Wilson, Gord Rollo, and gak, who illustrated The Library of the Dead.

Starting in 2015, Written Backwards will take a break from anthologies to introduce ALLEVON, a new series of original novellas. These will be stunning trade paperbacks (5″ x 8″ smaller format) with a matte finish, a cover price of $10, and will offer something unique to writers: 1) a $500 advance, 2) 50% royalties, 3) 25 contributor copies, and 4) the opportunity to purchase copies at 50% discount. I challenge other publishers to offer similar perks. It’s time to push for quality long fiction, and time to rock the publishing world.

The first in the series will be At the Lazy K by Gene O’Neill. The story takes place near Calistoga, California on an old Mexican land grant, spanning from cattle ranch to upscale bawdy house to a modern yet haunted rehabilitation center. This unique, literary mix of western and modern storytelling is Gene O’Neill at his finest, and the perfect match for Written Backwards.

AT THE LAZY K

The ALLEVON series is invite only at this time; however, if you have a novella in the 20-40,000 word range that fits the Written Backwards mold, feel free to send a query to allevon@nettirw.com. In typical Written Backwards fashion, you are more than welcome to invite yourself.